The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War noted that cooperation with China has allowed Russia to bypass Western sanctions on imports of electronics for drone production. Ukraine’s military intelligence estimates that Russia receives up to 65% of components for its Geran drones from China. Beijing rejects the claims.

Inside Russia's suicide drone factories, production of Shahed drones is being rapidly increased as Vladimir Putin steps up efforts to intensify attacks on Ukraine with expanded weapon supplies. A Russian state TV report,

The relentless strikes rely on a drone that costs as little as $50,000 to make—about as a BMW M Sport costs in India. The cost to shoot one down? Often more than a million dollars. As James Black of the RAND Corporation put it,